Unit 9: Japan’s Classical Age Flashcards
How was Japanese culture a product of cultural adaptation?
Japanese culture is a product of extensive adaptation, influenced by interactions with China, Korea, and indigenous traditions. While borrowing from these cultures, Japan retained its uniqueness, especially through Shinto. Geographical isolation and modernization further shaped its distinct identity, blending traditional and modern influences.
How did Chinese texts impact Japanese education until the modern period?
Chinese texts profoundly impacted Japanese education until modern times by:
- Literacy and Classical Education: Confucian classics like the Analects were core to aristocratic and samurai schooling, teaching language and ethics.
- Scholarly Tradition: Japanese scholars extensively studied Chinese texts, shaping a scholarly tradition rich in history, philosophy, and science.
- Cultural Transmission: Chinese texts facilitated the transmission of culture, exposing Japanese scholars to Chinese customs and beliefs.
- Legal and Administrative Systems: Japanese legal systems were influenced by Chinese texts like the Tang Code, guiding governance and law.
- Religious Learning: Buddhist scriptures in classical Chinese were pivotal in Japanese religious education, studied in monasteries.
Chinese texts formed the backbone of Japanese education, shaping its intellectual, cultural, and social fabric.
What is waka poetry? Who wrote it? Why was it collected in anthologies?
Waka poetry, a classical Japanese form, features structured syllables and themes of nature and emotion. Composed by various poets, it includes renowned figures like Ono no Komachi and Saigyo. Anthologies collected waka works to preserve heritage, promote the art, standardize conventions, and receive court support. These collections reflect Japanese aesthetic values across history.
What is meant by Kana syllabary? How is the ensuing script associated with women?
The Kana syllabary is a Japanese writing system using characters representing syllables. It includes Hiragana, historically associated with women in the Heian period, and Katakana, used primarily by men, especially monks and scholars. Hiragana’s simpler form allowed wider participation in literary activities, contributing to Japanese literature and poetry.
What element resulted in the flourishing of women’s literature in Japan’s classical age?
The development of Hiragana script resulted in the flourishing of women’s literature in Japan’s classical age. Hiragana, a cursive script derived from simplified forms of Kanji characters, was accessible to women who were not formally educated in Chinese characters. This allowed women, particularly in the Heian period (794-1185), to actively participate in literary and cultural activities by writing diaries, poetry, and literature in their own language. The use of Hiragana provided women with a means of expression and contributed to the rich tradition of women’s literature in Japanese history.
How are Sei Shōnagon’s style and writing different from those of her contemporaries, including Murasaki Shikibu’s? Why did The Pillow Book receive no kind words from Murasaki Shikibu?
Sei Shōnagon’s writing in “The Pillow Book” differs from her contemporary Murasaki Shikibu’s style in “The Tale of Genji” in several ways. Shōnagon’s work is lively, observational, and covers a wide range of topics with humor, reflecting her status as a court lady. In contrast, Shikibu’s writing is more introspective, narrative-driven, and explores complex emotions within courtly society. The lack of kind words from Shikibu for “The Pillow Book” may stem from differences in literary style, personal rivalries, or differing perspectives on court life.
How are Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji and Sei Shōnagon’s The Pillow Book usually compared?
Murasaki Shikibu’s “The Tale of Genji” and Sei Shōnagon’s “The Pillow Book” are both celebrated works of Japan’s Heian period, authored by women of the court. While both provide insights into aristocratic life and share themes of love and social hierarchy, they differ in literary style and focus. “The Tale of Genji” is a narrative novel with a focus on character development and psychological depth, while “The Pillow Book” is a collection of essays and observations offering a fragmented glimpse into courtly life. Despite these differences, both works are admired for their cultural significance and continue to be studied and appreciated for their unique contributions to Japanese literature.
What questions does The Pillow Book centre on?
“The Pillow Book” by Sei Shōnagon explores various aspects of courtly life and human nature through questions, observations, and reflections. It delves into court etiquette, human relationships, nature, beauty, personal experiences, and social commentary. Through its multifaceted exploration, the book offers insights into the intricacies of Heian society and the complexities of human emotion and behavior.
What are some of the contested issues associated with The Pillow Book? Why is its original format contested?
Contested issues surrounding “The Pillow Book” include debates about its authorship, authenticity, genre, original format, and editorial history. Scholars question whether Sei Shōnagon was the sole author, the authenticity of certain passages, and the accuracy of extant copies. The book’s genre and editorial history are also subjects of debate. These complexities underscore the challenges in interpreting and understanding “The Pillow Book.”
What is meant by okashi? How is this concept central to Sei Shōnagon’s The Pillow Book?
In “The Pillow Book,” Sei Shōnagon centralizes the concept of “okashi,” referring to odd or unusual things in Japanese culture. This concept permeates her observations and reflections on courtly life, where she delights in recounting eccentricities, peculiar behaviors, and humorous incidents. Shōnagon’s fascination with “okashi” adds charm and uniqueness to her portrayal of human experience, inviting readers to appreciate the diversity and richness of life in medieval Japan.
Who wrote “The Pillow Book” and when?
- “The Pillow Book” was written by Sei Shōnagon, a Japanese court lady, in the late 10th and early 11th centuries during the Heian period.
- Sei Shōnagon served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Consort Teishi (Sadako), and “The Pillow Book” is a collection of her observations, musings, anecdotes, and reflections on court life, customs, and etiquette of the Heian period.
